A Travel Price Comparison for Florida Daytona Beach vs. Jacksonville for Nightlife, Food, Beaches, and Families

Should you visit Daytona Beach or Jacksonville?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Daytona Beach or Jacksonville? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Daytona Beach

Daytona Beach is a party-hard, energetic, and lively beach city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. It's also popular because of the beaches, nightlife, and live music.

Jacksonville

Jacksonville is a fun, vibrant, and under-rated city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. Other popular activities here include beaches, shopping, and museums.

Daytona Beach and Jacksonville: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Daytona Beach or Jacksonville?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Jacksonville than Daytona Beach. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Jacksonville is very popular for its museums, food, beaches, and shopping, while Daytona Beach attracts visitors for its nightlife, music, and resorts. Daytona Beach is more touristy than Jacksonville and is popular for its spring break culture, wild parties, and the Daytona 500 NASCAR race. Jacksonville is famous for its beautiful beaches and lively downtown area. It is also well known for Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens.

How is Daytona Beach different from Jacksonville?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Jacksonville and Daytona Beach. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Daytona Beach or Jacksonville?

Jacksonville is a well-known place for its sights and museums. However, Daytona Beach does not have museums and landmarks.

Jacksonville offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. The city has a number of museums that range from art museums to science or kid-friendly museums. Some favorites are the Museum of Science and History, the Museum of Contemporary Art, the Mandarin Museum and Historical Society, and Kingsley Plantation.

Daytona Beach does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Daytona Beach or Jacksonville? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Jacksonville is a well-known place for its local cuisine and restaurants. However, Daytona Beach is not a good beach city for its restaurants.

Dining out in Jacksonville is an experience not to be missed. Local cuisine has its own identity. Unique dishes around town include garlic crabs, seafood boil, gumbo, and shrimp and grits. The local cuisine is similar to Lowcountry dishes with a lot of Cajun influence. If you want something different from seafood, you should try the barbecue.

Daytona Beach offers some easy restaurants to choose from. This beach is more about the parties and drinks than it is about the food.

Is Daytona Beach or Jacksonville Better for Nightlife?

Daytona Beach is renowned for its evening party scene. Also, Jacksonville is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for nightlife.

Daytona Beach is a destination that you simply have to visit at least once for nightlife. Spring break is when the parties are at their peak. For the most active nightlife head to A1A from Ormond-by-the-Sea to Ponce Inlet, Main and Beach Streets, and Seabreeze Boulevard, ONE DAYTONA and International Speedway Boulevard in Daytona Beach, and Granada Boulevard in Ormond Beach.

The people in Jacksonville know how to have a good time. The young population brings out the nightlife scene. There's a great concentration of bars and clubs in the area known as The Elbow, which is at the intersection of N. Ocean and E. Bay Street. You'll find plenty of cocktail bars, lounges, and clubs around town that make for a fun night out.

Is Daytona Beach or Jacksonville Better for Music?

Daytona Beach is a good destination for its music scene. However, Jacksonville is not a live music destination.

You don't have to look far to find a unique music venue in Daytona Beach. You can see live music at the Hard Rock Hotel Daytona Beach, Daytona Beach Bandshell and The Roof.

Jacksonville is not a live music destination.

Is Daytona Beach or Jacksonville Better for Resorts?

Daytona Beach is a decent place to visit for its luxury resorts. However, Jacksonville is not a resort destination.

You might not think of Daytona Beach as a resort destination, but it has a few places. Many resorts in the area focus more on affordability than luxury. The oceanfront hotels usually have nice beachfront pools and rooms with balconies and oceanfront views. You'll pay a bit more for the waterfront rooms.

Jacksonville is not a resort destination.

Is Daytona Beach or Jacksonville Better for Beaches?

Jacksonville is a well-known place for the beach. Also, Daytona Beach is not as famous, but is still a good beach city to visit for its beaches.

Jacksonville is considered a top beach destination. There are a number of beaches that are just a short distance from the city. Some have a historic vibe while others are more lively. Atlantic Beach is about a half hour drive from the city. For a laid back vibe head to Neptune Beach and the most popular beach in the area is Jacksonville Beach.

Many people head to Daytona Beach to enjoy the beach. The city's beaches are lively and festive, so if you're looking for a beach with music, drinking, and partying, then this is your place. In the surrounding areas you'll find some quieter, more family-friendly beaches. It's also best to avoid the Spring Break crowds if you're hoping for a quieter and more family-friendly vacation.

Is the Shopping Better in Daytona Beach or Jacksonville?

Jacksonville is a well-known place for its shopping areas. However, Daytona Beach is not a good beach city for shopping.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity in Jacksonville. There are countless malls and shopping districts around town. Some of the best shopping is found at St. John's Center, Five Points, and Avondale.

Daytona Beach is a good destination for shopping. Souvenir shops and t-shirt shops are the main shopping you'll find in this area. The boardwalk is lined with gimmicky shops where you can pick up magnets or beach paraphernalia.

Is Daytona Beach or Jacksonville Better for Families?

Jacksonville is a popular place for its family-friendly activities. However, Daytona Beach is not a good beach city for its kid-friendly activities.

Jacksonville is a family-friendly place to visit. It's filled with adventure parks, zoos, animal farms, nature centers, and gardens. Adults will have as much fun as kids exploring the city and all of its family-friendly attractions.

Daytona Beach is not always a place people visit with their families. Although it's best avoided during spring break, Daytona with kids can be fun when the crowds aren't too bad. There are water parks, surfing lessons, and of course the beach. The restaurants are usually family-friendly as well with many offering kid's menus and early opening hours.

Is Daytona Beach or Jacksonville Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Daytona Beach and Jacksonville make for a nice place to visit.

Daytona Beach is a good beach city for couples to visit. While romance isn't exactly what comes to mind when you first think of Daytona, couples who like to party and be out and about will enjoy a visit to Daytona Beach. There's plenty to do and some very great seafood restaurants in the area, so it's not hard to turn it into a couple's destination.

Jacksonville is a nice destination for couples. It's a young city that's near nature and has plenty of adventurous activities. There's sailing, botanical gardens, restaurants, and plenty of bars around town.

Is Daytona Beach or Jacksonville Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Jacksonville is a popular place for backpackers. However, Daytona Beach is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Jacksonville. There are a few hostels in town as well as affordable motels. The city has a young population with plenty to do. Although it's often overlooked by tourists, there's a surprising and underrated appeal to the backpacker crowd.

Daytona Beach is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

Is Daytona Beach or Jacksonville Better for Students?

Daytona Beach is renowned for its student-friendly activities. Also, Jacksonville is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for students.

Daytona Beach is a very popular place to visit for students. It's one of the original Spring Break destinations, and the trend continues. If you're a student looking to cut loose, you'll find plenty of likeminded vacationers in the area, with many bars and hotels catering specifically to the younger crowd.

Jacksonville is popular with students. There are a few colleges and universities in town. The city's population is also very young, making it a great place to study.

Is Daytona Beach or Jacksonville Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Jacksonville is a popular place for its public transit. However, Daytona Beach is not a good beach city for times when you don't have a car.

Jacksonville has a few public transit options. The public transportation system includes trolleys, the Skyway, buses, water taxis, and the ferry.

Public transit is quite limited in Daytona Beach. There's limited transportation options around town so you really must have a private vehicle. If you've been out drinking, you can call a taxi or an Uber.

Is Daytona Beach or Jacksonville a more walkable city?

Jacksonville is a popular place for its ease of walking around. However, Daytona Beach is not a good beach city for its walkability.

Jacksonville is a somewhat walkable city. Downtown Jacksonville is the most walkable part of the city.

Daytona Beach is not a very walkable beach city. This area requires a car if you want to access restaurants, nightlife, or anything away from your hotel.

For even more information, also check out Is Daytona Beach Worth Visiting? and Is Jacksonville Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Jacksonville or Daytona Beach?

How long in Daytona Beach or Jacksonville?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Daytona Beach and Jacksonville. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Jacksonville than in Daytona Beach. Usually, 7 days is a good amount of time for Daytona Beach, and 2-3 days is enough time in Jacksonville.

Families should spend more time in Jacksonville than Daytona Beach. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Jacksonville, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Jacksonville than Daytona Beach. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Jacksonville that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Jacksonville than Daytona Beach if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Jacksonville.

One day in Daytona Beach or Jacksonville?

In Daytona Beach, many people enjoy the live music and nightlife that this party-hard beach city offers. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the vibrant destination of Jacksonville. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. Your budget might influence how long you stay. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

A weekend in Daytona Beach or Jacksonville?

Daytona Beach is a fun place to experience. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. Lots of people come for the nightlife. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Jacksonville. Most people come for the beaches. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. A weekend is usually enough time to experience most activities.

Five days in Daytona Beach or Jacksonville?

You'll find live music and nightlife around the lively destination of Daytona Beach. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Lots of people come for the nightlife. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the under-rated destination of Jacksonville. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Five days is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips.

A week in Daytona Beach or Jacksonville?

Daytona Beach is a popular place to visit. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

You'll find food and shopping around the city of Jacksonville. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Coach Bus Tours in United States of America, The Best Adventure Tours to United States of America, The Best Train & Rail Tours in United States of America, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in United States of America.

When comparing the travel costs between Daytona Beach and Jacksonville, we can see that Jacksonville is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in North America, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Daytona Beach Expensive? and Is Jacksonville Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Daytona Beach or Jacksonville?

Jacksonville has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Daytona Beach. When comparing the sizes of Daytona Beach and Jacksonville, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.

When is the best time to visit Daytona Beach or Jacksonville?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Daytona Beach or Jacksonville in the Summer?

Both Jacksonville and Daytona Beach during the summer are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Daytona Beach for the beaches, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to Jacksonville because of the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

Daytona Beach is around the same temperature as Jacksonville in the summer. The daily temperature in Daytona Beach averages around 81°F (27°C) in July, and Jacksonville fluctuates around 82°F (28°C).

Jacksonville gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Daytona Beach. Daytona Beach usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Jacksonville. Daytona Beach gets 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain, while Jacksonville receives 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Daytona Beach or Jacksonville in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Daytona Beach and Jacksonville. The autumn months attract visitors to Daytona Beach because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene. Furthermore, the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Jacksonville this time of year.

In the autumn, Daytona Beach is around the same temperature as Jacksonville. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Daytona Beach in October average around 74°F (23°C), and Jacksonville averages at about 70°F (21°C).

Daytona Beach gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Daytona Beach usually receives more rain than Jacksonville. Daytona Beach gets 4.1 inches (105 mm) of rain, while Jacksonville receives 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain each month for the autumn. June to November in Jacksonville is the hurricane season.

Should I visit Daytona Beach or Jacksonville in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Daytona Beach as well as Jacksonville. The shopping scene and the cuisine are the main draw to Daytona Beach this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Jacksonville for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In January, Daytona Beach is generally a little warmer than Jacksonville. Daily temperatures in Daytona Beach average around 58°F (14°C), and Jacksonville fluctuates around 53°F (12°C).

Daytona Beach usually gets less rain in January than Jacksonville. Daytona Beach gets 2.8 inches (70 mm) of rain, while Jacksonville receives 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Daytona Beach or Jacksonville in the Spring?

Both Jacksonville and Daytona Beach are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Daytona Beach for the beaches and the activities around the city. Also, many visitors come to Jacksonville in the spring for the beaches and the activities around the city.

Daytona Beach is around the same temperature as Jacksonville in the spring. The daily temperature in Daytona Beach averages around 69°F (21°C) in April, and Jacksonville fluctuates around 68°F (20°C).

In April, Daytona Beach usually receives less rain than Jacksonville. Daytona Beach gets 2.2 inches (57 mm) of rain, while Jacksonville receives 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain each month for the spring. The hurricane season in Jacksonville is June to November.

Typical Weather for Jacksonville and Daytona Beach